Not sure about retiring your old Dynamics GP? Here’s what you could miss out on

Microsoft recently announced that they will no longer be supporting Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013. That means they will stop releasing bug fixes and improvements in the future. Even third party-compatible apps won’t be updated anymore. How does this affect your business in South Florida?

Companies that make good use of technology are the ones that lead the way, which is why many businesses have embraced digital transformation. It is the path to increasing productivity and efficiency. So if you are lagging behind on technology, give your IT infrastructure a second look.

To gauge if you need to retire your current system, let’s take a look at what you’ll be missing if you don’t upgrade to a newer version of GP, or better yet, migrate to a more robust enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution like Dynamics 365 Business Central. (Note that GP and Business Central share the same code base so the transition will be as seamless as a regular GP upgrade.)

Move your business to the cloud

Unlike the older versions of GP, Business Central is hosted in Azure — a cloud service that runs on Microsoft's network of data centers. It is licensed on a full SaaS model so you only pay a monthly subscription fee. You don’t have to worry about any bug fixes, updates, and other enhancements, as Microsoft manages your infrastructure. This is especially helpful to small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with little or no dedicated IT resources.

Integrate your processes in a centralized system

Microsoft wasn’t lying when they said that Business Central is an all-in-one business solution that provides an end-to-end view of your enterprise. Having access to a cloud-based service like Office 365 and apps like OneDrive, Office, SharePoint Online, Skype for Business, Power BI, etc. means you can easily integrate your workflows, essentially optimizing your processes.

With a central database, it will be easier to manage your company’s day-to-day operations. Your customer service agent doesn’t need to switch from one app to another just to learn more about a specific client.

Reporting is easy, too, allowing you to make informed, real-time decisions. For instance, if the project management team needs to know whether acquiring new equipment is feasible given the company budget, they can easily coordinate with the purchasing department.

What’s more, Business Central is connected to Microsoft’s superior analytics solutions like Power BI, enabling you to gain actionable insights into your data and make informed business decisions. By contrast, Dynamics GP data is stored on site so forecasting features are limited.

Leverage superior functionality

Business Central outshines GP in terms of features and functionality, especially since Microsoft is constantly making substantial improvements on Business Central. For example, Business Central combines project management and financial data so you can better manage your team's budget and time.

If you implement Business Central, you can enjoy feature updates as soon as they're released. Sure, GP won’t be replaced, but if you want to adopt cutting-edge functions, rest assured that they will be implemented in Business Central ahead of GP.

Manage processes on the go

Business Central works on any computer, laptop, or smartphone. You can access all mission-critical data using the same interface, so onboarding is shorter. Collaboration is easier, too. Several departments can work on a specific project in real time no matter where they are and what device they use.

Learn more about Business Central and how it is a notch above all other ERP solutions, GP included. Our experienced professionals would be glad to orient you on this solution and address any question you may have. Contact us today!